Surprise Players Who Could Help You Win A Fantasy Football Championship in Week 18: Tyrod Taylor, Greg Dortch, Hunter Henry

Welcome to the most chaotic week of the NFL season! If you're reading this, you're likely in a league that is still playing in Week 18. I highly recommend you change that for next year, but for now, let's try to make the best of it. Each of the last few weeks I've been highlighting one player at each position who could have a surprisingly effective performance to help you in the fantasy playoffs. With so many teams resting their stars, this is more crucial than ever in Week 18. Luckily, the amount of players resting also opens up opportunities. Let's get started!

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Best Deep Streaming Options For Fantasy Football Week 18

Quarterback: Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants

This one is a no-brainer. I backed Tyrod last week, and he came through with a solid QB11 performance. Now he gets to face the Eagles' defense, which have been the most favorable matchup for opposing QBs all year ... and who Tyrod put up 10.4 points against in just a half of action in Week 16 on the road. Now at home in New York, I expect Tyrod to give us another solid week of streaming production. Our Projections for this week agree, ranking him as the QB14. Despite his recent success, he is still rostered in under 10% of leagues, although that number may be skewed by the amount of leagues that are simply over already. Hopefully he is available in your league and can help you to a fantasy championship!

Extra Gross Alternatives: Ryan Tannehill, Nick Mullens

Running Back: Elijah Mitchell or Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers

This Sunday's game between two NFC West California rivals in the Rams and 49ers is going to be ... interesting. With both teams locked into the playoffs, it has already been announced that many key players (Brock Purdy, Matthew Stafford, Christian McCaffrey, and Kyren Williams, to name a few) will be sitting out on both sides. Normally, I don't love targeting players who are due to see opportunity because their team is resting starters. After all, they (and the teammates they will be playing with) are usually backups for a reason. However, that's different in this matchup, which will be more like a preseason game with both teams resting their key vets. I also believe in the talent here, as Mitchell especially has shown that he can be an effective lead back in the NFL. Just as importantly, Kyle Shanahan will still be calling players for the 49ers ... and I'm pretty sure he could scheme up 100 yards and a touchdown for any back in the NFL. The only problem here is predicting which of these two backs gets the volume. As a "veteran" with an injury history and the 49ers' RB2, there is a real chance Mitchell joins CMC on the sidelines, leaving Mason (or even Tyrion Davis-Price?) to shoulder the load. Hopefully we get clarity before Sunday on that question. If we don't get any concrete news one way or the other, I would prioritize Mason (who will get at least some carries either way) or pivot to one of the alternatives listed below — don't risk starting Mitchell if there's a chance he drops a goose egg. 

Extra Gross Alternatives: Ronnie Rivers, Jaleel McLaughlin, Jamaal Williams (top option if Alvin Kamara is ruled out)

Wide Receiver: Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals

Last week, I listed Dortch and fellow Cadinals Michael Wilson as alternate options, and they both had solid outings. I do like Wilson again this week, but it is Dortch who I'm giving the nod as my top pick, for one simple reason: The man simply scores points. He has played over 70% of the Cardinals' offensive snaps in 10 games in his career. In those 10 games, he has averaged 11.5 Half-PPR points (and his numbers look even better in Full PPR). Only 23 receivers are averaging that many points this season. Just looking at this season, he has played over 70% of the Cardinals' snaps in four games. In those four games, he has never seen fewer than five targets or scored less than 10.2 Half-PPR points. Last week, he played a season-high 82% of snaps, catching all seven of his targets for 82 yards. With Marquise Brown on IR, Dortch will be on the field plenty again this week, so he's probably going to score some points.

Extra Gross Alternatives: Darius Slayton, Michael Gallup, Alex Erickson, A Texans WR (depending on health, Noah Brown > Robert Woods > Xavier Hutchinson > John Metchie)

Tight End: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

Henry has been dealing with an injury over the last few weeks but is looking on track to return to the Patriots' lineup in Week 18. That's good timing for fantasy managers looking for tight end help, as his injury means he is available in over two-thirds of leagues. That's a shockingly high number for a guy who has very quietly been the TE15 in points per game this season. Henry's matchup with the Jets is also an above-average one for the tight end position (although not by much). If he is unable to suit up, I will again recommend pivoting to Mike Gesicki, who came through for us with a touchdown in Week 16.

Extra Gross Alternatives: Tucker Kraft (top choice if Luke Musgrave is out), Logan Thomas, Durham Smythe